Comparison

Build Things vs Present Past

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Build Things

Features
Read full description

Go from idea to name, domain, fonts, colors in 30 seconds.

About

Present Past

Features
Read full description

Present Past is a simple journaling app built around a timeline. It helps you capture small moments as they happen and quietly brings them back later, when they feel new again. Instead of long, structured entries, you can write short notes throughout the day. Thoughts, events, or even something you don’t want to forget. Over time, they form a personal history you can revisit anytime. ### Key Features - Timeline-based journaling Your entries are organized in a clean, chronological timeline, making it easy to browse your past. - Quick capture Open the app and start writing immediately. No friction, no setup. - Hashtags for flexible organization Add tags to your entries and follow threads across time. - Resurface past moments Revisit entries from the past and rediscover thoughts you’ve forgotten. - Text-first experience Designed to keep your focus on thoughts rather than media. - Private and simple Your data stays on your device. No accounts, no distractions.

Screenshots

Build Things4 screens
Present Past4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Build Things at every 2 days against Present Past's every 4 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Build Things ships an update every 2 days, Present Past every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
Build Things versus Present Past: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuild ThingsPresent Past
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 days β€” betterEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details β€” not scored
Size146 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperErik NelsonSeungEun Lee

In-app purchases

None

Build Things

No in-app purchases

None

Present Past

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Build Things free?
Build Things is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Present Past free?
Present Past is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Build Things or Present Past have ads?
Neither Build Things nor Present Past shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Build Things or Present Past?
Build Things ships an update every 2 days, and Present Past every 4 days. Most recently, Build Things was updated on September 8, 2026 and Present Past on June 11, 2026.

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